Murder at the Polo Club Read online

  “Seriously, Marty? Three million dollars for glass? Sure sounds like an awful lot of money.”

  “Yes, Jeff, seriously. It could even be worth more than that. I’ll know more in a couple of days. This has to go to the top of my to-do list although in a case like this it’s hard to put prices on items that are so rare I know I’m going to have problems coming up with comparables.”

  Jeff turned and looked at her as he pulled off the freeway and said, “That’s an interesting situation. What do you do when you can’t find a comparable price for an object you have to appraise?”

  She paused for a moment before she spoke and then said, “It’s going to sound rather self-serving and egotistic, but that’s where my experience comes in. If what I’ve seen is incomparable, and I have to evaluate it anyway, I’ll put a value on it that I think is fair for the quality, the beauty, the rarity, and the demand for the item. When it’s that rare you can bet there would be a huge demand for it if it did go to auction or was put up for sale. Every collector who has the funds to buy the piece will want it, and it would result in a huge bidding war which would further drive up the value. Bottom line, it’s a judgment call on my part, and I guess the good news is, when there’s nothing comparable, who can say that my judgment isn’t right?”

  “I don’t know. I tend to be a more logical person and that sounds pretty pie in the sky to me,” Jeff said.

  “You’re absolutely right, and that’s why being an appraiser appealed to me. I always hated logic and math, and I think a lot better out of the box. This is one of the few professions that lets me do it. Oh, we’re here. Turn down this lane. The house is at the far end of it, but we need to go to the polo club grounds on the left. The guard shack is just up ahead.”

  “Wow, Marty, the house is incredible. It’s one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen and perfect for the desert. Nice cushy job you have unlike some of us who have to chase and catch bad guys.”

  “Uh-huh. Just be on your best behavior tonight, because I intend to charge a nice fat fee for expediting this appraisal.”

  Jeff always drove his police issued car since he never knew when he’d have to leave when a crime had taken place and a detective was needed. Tonight was no exception, but he wouldn’t need his police car because the crime that would be taking place was at the Rutledge Polo Club.

  CHAPTER 10

  “Marty, can I get you something to drink? Since I’m on call tonight, I’ll be drinking club soda. I also want to say hi to John and Max if I can find them,” Jeff said.

  “Yes, I’d love a glass of white wine. Whatever they have is fine. I’m going to find Pia and see how she’s doing. Oh, there she is,” Marty said. “You can’t miss a woman that beautiful with jet black hair. When you bring the wine to me just look for the hair. It’s kind of like a beacon in the night.” She walked over to where Pia was deep in conversation with a woman.

  Marty tapped her on the shoulder. “Hi, Pia. I just wanted to let you know I’m here, but I don’t want to interrupt your conversation. I can come back later.”

  “No, that won’t be necessary,” Pia said. “I’d like you to meet my sister. Gerta, this is Marty, the appraiser I told you about. We’re just discussing the art glass collection our parents willed to me. My sister thinks since I’m getting married to a wealthy man, I should give it to her. I told her I wasn’t going to do that.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Gerta. I hope you’re enjoying your visit to Palm Springs.”

  “No, as a matter of fact I’m not. I really thought Pia would be a little more reasonable about the collection, but I guess there’s not much I can do to convince her it should be mine. After all, it seems pretty unfair for one person to get everything, doesn’t it?” she asked. “So what do you think the collection is worth? I guess it really doesn’t matter, since it looks like I’m not going to get it, but just for the record I’d like to know what I’m not getting.” She turned and looked at Pia with a look of pure hatred.

  Marty saw nothing but sorrow in Pia’s eyes. It was clear to Marty that the preceding conversation with her sister had been very painful for Pia. She turned to Gerta and said, “I’m sorry, but it would be unethical for me to answer your question. If Pia chooses to discuss it with you, that’s up to her, but I can’t.”

  “Fine. So long, Pia. I’m out of here and out of your life. At some point, I hope you find out that money can’t keep you safe or make you happy,” Gerta said as she stormed towards the door, muttering to herself.

  “Well, I guess that’s one less person who will be coming to the wedding,” Pia said with a dismayed look on her face. “As I mentioned to you this morning, my parents willed their house and their art glass collection to me, not Gerta. I thought it was pretty generous of me to give her the proceeds from the house, but it looks like she doesn’t agree with me.”

  “Pia, the one thing I’ve learned since I’ve been appraising is that if there’s money attached to an object, someone in the family is going to want it. I’ve seen old pottery pieces that were used to hold pencils, and when I told the person it was quite rare and valuable, it suddenly became very important to them.

  “Conversely, I’ve seen objects that have been handed down from generation to generation with the admonishment that it was quite valuable so be careful with it. When I told them it was actually quite a common item and worth very little, it lost all its appeal for them. I find it interesting how many people define themselves by their stuff.”

  “Well, I’m sorry you had to witness such an unpleasant scene between two sisters. It was inexcusable behavior on Gerta’s part. So now one of the two people I knew on the party list is not speaking to me. There’s the other one on the list, Jack’s son,” Pia said motioning towards a group of men standing nearby. “I’d like you to meet him.” She indicated Marty was to follow her over to where a handsome man in his late thirties was standing talking to several people. The resemblance to Jack was amazing. He was simply a younger version.

  Jensen saw his stepmother-to-be walking up to the group and excused himself. “Hi, Pia. I think the party’s going great, don’t you?” he asked.

  “It seems to be, but since this is my first party at a polo club, I really have nothing to compare it to. Jensen, I’d like you to meet Marty Combs. She’s doing an appraisal for your father and me.”

  He extended his hand and said, “Welcome to the Rutledge Polo Club. So what are you appraising for Dad and Pia?”

  Pia answered for her. “Marty is quite ethical and won’t discuss her appraisals, but I can, since what she’s been appraising is mine. She’s doing Jack’s art pottery and the art glass collection that I inherited from my parents. Since Jack and I just signed a trust giving each other everything we own in case something happens to one of us, we thought we better find out what our collections are worth and get them insured.”

  Marty noticed the rapid expressions taking place on Jensen’s face. First she saw shock and astonishment, and then she noticed a look of pure hatred flit across his face. The expression on his face smoothed out to one of neutrality, and he said, “I’m sorry Pia, but I don’t understand what you mean.”

  “It’s very simple, Jensen. I thought Jack told you we decided to sign the trust we had drawn up now rather than wait and have one more thing to do after we got married. I’m sorry you didn’t know. I really thought you did.”

  “No, I didn’t know, but I think it’s wonderful both of you are so sure about the other one that you’re leaving your respective estates to each other. I must admit I’m kind of surprised, because Dad’s always told me that since I’m his only child his art pottery collection would go to me.”

  “Jensen, you know how busy he is getting ready for the polo season and adding a wedding to the mix makes him even busier. I’m sure it just slipped his mind, and that’s why he didn’t tell you.”

  Just then Jeff walked up to them and Marty introduced Jensen and Pia to him. Jensen shook Jeff’s hand and said, “If you’l
l excuse me, I need to talk to a couple of the team members. It was nice to meet both of you, and I hope we’ll see you during the season.”

  “Great. Now I’m two for two,” Pia said. “Let’s go find Jack. Jeff, I’d like you to meet him.” She turned around and started to walk over to where a crowd of people was gathered around Jack at the end of the barn. Marty mouthed the words, “I’ll tell you later,” to Jeff and followed her.

  “There you are,” Jack said in his customary booming voice. “Everyone, I want you to meet my bride-to-be, Pia Marshall. Please give her a round of applause for agreeing to marry this old man.” Everyone in the group clapped and cheered.

  Pia blushed and said, “Thank you. I want to get to know all of you, and I hope you’ll be coming back here often.” The crowd surrounding Jack began to break away until only the four of them were left. “Jack, I’d like you to meet my husband, Jeff Combs,” Marty said. “You may have met before. Jeff’s lived in the Springs for a long time, and he’s a detective with the Palm Springs Police Department.”

  “Can’t say that I have, Marty, but that’s probably a good thing. Fortunately, I haven’t needed the services of a detective, but if I ever do, at least now I know one,” he said laughing.

  Jack’s cell phone rang and he said, “Excuse me. I need to take this call.” He stepped away from them and listened. As he listened an angry look spread across his face. Pia made small talk with Marty and Jeff and looked over at Jack several times, clearly concerned. After a few minutes she excused herself and walked over to where he was standing. She put her hand on his arm as he ended the call.

  “What’s wrong, Jack? Your face is really red, and there’s a vein on your neck that’s pulsing.”

  “Remember when I told you at lunch about that scumbag, Kevin Sanders? That was the security guard at the security shack. The guard recalled seeing him when he was here earlier in the day and called to tell me he could be wrong, but he admitted a man about an hour ago who looked like him, although his invitation had a different name on it. The guard felt something was off, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. He finally remembered and thought I should know.”

  “Has anyone seen him?” Pia asked. “I thought all of your security guards were going to be on the lookout for him.”

  “No, none of them has said anything. If that scumbag dares to come here tonight, I’ll make such a public spectacle about it he’ll wish he’d never darkened these grounds,” Jack said making a fist with one hand and pounding the palm of his other hand with it.

  “Oh, come on Jack, let it go. It’s probably just a case of the guard being overly cautious since no one’s seen him. Don’t let that spoil the party for you.”

  “You’re probably right, Pia. I just can’t stand that guy. He’s been a thorn in my side for years. Okay, it’s behind me. I’m going to get something to drink.”

  Jeff and Marty couldn’t help but overhear the conversation. “Marty, what’s going on?” Jeff asked. She started to answer him, but stopped when Pia walked over to them.

  “Why don’t you go look at the horses?” Pia said. “They’re really quite beautiful, and it’s not often you can see that many good polo horses in one place, anyway that’s what Jack tells me. I’m going outside for a moment. I’ve just about quit smoking entirely, but the last hour has been a little intense for me, and I think I can justify one. I’ll meet you back here in the barn.”

  Marty and Jeff went from one stall to another talking to the groomers about the horses and learning what was involved in the sport of polo. “Jeff, I really would like to come to a couple of matches when the season starts. It sounds interesting.”

  “I agree. We’ll definitely make that a priority after the first of the year. Oh, there’s Jack.”

  Marty looked up and saw Jack walking towards them accompanied by a smaller older man with a neatly trimmed goatee that matched his perfectly combed shock of silver hair.

  When Jack reached them he said, “Marty and Jeff, I’d like you to meet Dr. Rex Anderson. Although he’s semi-retired, Rex has been my personal physician for years. In fact, Rex was one of the first people I met when I moved to Palm Springs. When he was younger, he was a terrific polo player, and today he’s considered to be an expert on the history of the sport.

  “Nice to meet you, Dr. Anderson,” Jeff said as he and Marty shook hands with Dr. Anderson.

  “Pleased to meet both of you, and call me Rex. What Jeff said about me is true. I’m semi-retired from practicing medicine, and I’m simply enjoying life after having worked as a doctor here in Palm Springs for over forty years. In fact, Jeff is one of only five or six patients I still see from time to time. So what brings the two of you to this little cocktail shindig Jack is throwing for all of us tonight?”

  “I’m an art and antique appraiser doing some work for Jack and his bride-to-be, and my husband is a homicide detective with the Palm Springs Police Department,” Marty said. “Jack and Pia were kind enough to invite us to tonight’s party.”

  Turning to Jack, Marty said, “Jeff and I were just talking to your groomers and admiring your horses. They’re absolutely beautiful.”

  “Thanks. My people do a very good job caring for the horses and training them, so they’ll be ready for the polo matches. By the way, I can’t seem to find Pia. Have you seen her?” he asked.

  Marty glanced at her watch and said, “No. She said she needed a little break and suggested we look at some of the horses that are in their stalls, which we did. She said she’d meet us here in the barn, but that was almost an hour ago. I have no idea where she is.”

  Just at that moment Jensen ran up to where they were standing and breathlessly said to Jack, “Dad, quick. I need to talk to you. It’s about Pia,” he said grimly.

  “What is it, Jensen?”

  “You better come with me, Dad. I hate to tell you this, but two of the security guards saw a body lying on the ground behind the barn. They’re not sure, but it might be Pia. They think she might be dead.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Jack stared at Jensen in disbelief, as if he couldn’t process what he’d just been told.

  Jeff flashed his police badge at Jensen and said, “Jensen, take us to where she is. I’m a police detective, and I’d be the one called to investigate if there’s any sign of foul play. Dr. Anderson, why don’t you come with us in case there’s an opportunity to provide lifesaving procedures to her?”

  Jensen turned and quickly headed for the barn door followed by the other four. The movement brought Jack back from wherever he’d mentally retreated, and he shouted out in voice trembling with emotion, “Where is she, Jensen? Have you called an ambulance?”

  “I’m sorry, Dad, but apparently there’s no need for an ambulance,” he said as he hurried towards the rear door of the barn. He opened the door and led them to where a group of guards were standing in a circle next to the back of the barn. In the center of the circle, lying face down on the ground, was the body of a woman with jet black hair. She wasn’t moving and didn’t appear to be breathing. It was Pia.

  Dr. Anderson stepped forward and said in a strong tone of voice, “Everyone stand back. I’m a doctor, and I need to examine her.”

  When he gently rolled Pia’s body over, there was a collective gasp from those watching him as they realized Pia’s mouth and nose were tightly taped shut with grey duct tape. Some kind of a gauze bandage could be seen poking out from under the edges of the tape. Dr. Anderson quickly pulled the tape off of her face and carefully removed the gauze bandage covering her mouth and nose. A second gauze bandage had been wadded up and stuffed in her mouth. He removed the second bandage in order to clear her airway and see if she could breathe. He bent down and put his ear over her mouth, listening for any signs of breathing, but there were none.

  Dr. Anderson looked up at Jack, his friend and patient of many years, and said in a somber voice, “Jack, I’m sorry, but she’s gone. There’s nothing I can do to save her.”

  He contin
ued, “The gauze that was placed over her face and mouth is heavily saturated with chloroform. I recognize the sweet smell of it from when it was used in the medical profession years ago before the advent of newer and more modern anesthetics. It’s a very strong anesthetic that can cause death if administered in too large of a dose. Evidently that’s what happened to your poor Pia.”

  A guttural scream came from Jack as he knelt next to Pia’s lifeless body and held her hand while tears welled up in his eyes. The people in the small group standing there seemed transfixed with the enormity of what they were looking at, and no one said a word.

  Jeff broke the silence when, in a commanding voice, he spoke up and said to the security guards, “I’m a police officer. I want you to stand back and not come anywhere near here. This immediate area needs to be secured as a crime scene. Tell the guard at the guard shack not to let anyone leave the premises. I’m calling the station and reporting this as a homicide.” Within moments sirens were heard in the distance as they approached the polo club.

  In shock, Jack held Pia’s hand in his, looked at the group standing slightly away from Pia’s body, and in a tearful voice asked, “Who could do this? What did she ever do to anyone? Why, why her?”

  “Jack, let’s go to your house,” Marty said. “There’s nothing you can do right now by staying here. I’m so sorry. Jeff is very good at what he does, and he’ll find out who did this. You don’t need to stay here. I’ll let Jeff know we’re going to your house.”